Second-half surge secures points for Maungakaramea

A strong second-half performance propelled Maungakaramea to a 4-2 win over rivals Hikurangi in their third round hockey match of the reserve A women's grade.

Maungakaramea took the early lead thanks to goals from captain Luana Telfer and Nikki Attwood, before Hikurangi clawed their way back into the game through Dene Cheeseman and Sarah Morris.

With the scores tied at halftime, Maungakaramea made the most of their chances in the second half to grab the vital points over their top four rivals.

Telfer said the intensity wasn't there for her side in the first half.

"In the second half we came out more intense and played a lot better.

"The game was there for the taking and we scored the goals when we needed to."

Telfer scored her second penalty corner goal soon after the break before a brilliant solo effort from youngster Jaimee Whittaker secured the win late in the second half.

In other reserve A matches on Thursday night, Old Girls beat Whangarei Girls' High School 3-0 after the scores were level at halftime.

Springfield were able to get ahead of Parihaka 1-nil in a close match on Thursday while on Friday night, Kamo High School beat Mangapai 2-nil.

In the reserve men's grade on Thursday, Hora Hora beat Springfield 1-nil in a match where outstanding efforts from both teams' goalkeepers kept the score low.

Whangarei Boys' High School extended their winning streak to three by beating Maungakaramea 5-1 while Mangapai were beaten 6-4 by Bream Bay on Friday and Kamo High School drew a timely bye in their school holidays.